The German parliamentary budget representative for defense, Andreas Schwarz, has voiced his support for plans to supply Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine from partner nations, confirming that the promised funding from Germany is secured.
Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” Schwarz emphasized that the escalating Russian attacks targeting Ukrainian civilians necessitate swift action. He stated that the United States and Germany share a consensus on this matter, rendering the decision to provide Patriot systems to Ukraine a correct one.
Schwarz underscored the practical benefit of such aid, noting that preventing damage through proactive defense eliminates the need for costly reconstruction. “Air defense is a vital lifeline for the people in Ukraine” he stated.
Acknowledging the need to address potential gaps created within Germany’s own defense infrastructure, Schwarz assured that the necessary funds are allocated within the “Plan 60 – Ertüchtigungshilfe” budget. The German Ministry of Defense estimates the cost of a complete Patriot system to be approximately one billion euros.